Liberty graduate: The Rev. Ronald Cunningham of Lancaster received his doctorate degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.
LCSD Community Forums: The Lancaster County School District has announced the scheduling of four community forums, allowing Superintendent Dr. Raashad Fitzpatrick to speak with the public in each area of the county. The dates and locations of the forums are:
• March 5 at the Indian Land High School Auditorium, 6100 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster
• March 25 at the Lancaster High School Multipurpose Building, 870 Roddey Drive, Lancaster
• April 25 at the Andrew Jackson High School Multipurpose Building, 6875 Kershaw Camden Highway, Kershaw
• May 20 at the Buford High School Multipurpose Building, 4254 Tabernacle Road, Lancaster
All forums are at 5:30 p.m.
LCSD Virtual Bond Subcommittee: 6 p.m. March 12. The meeting will discuss potential projects on the district’s bond referendum and provide feedback on each of the proposed projects. More details are expected to be posted on the district’s website.
Indian Land Spring Gala: 6-10 p.m. March 16 in the Founders Dairy Barn at the Anne Springs Close Greenway, 288 Dairy Barn Lane, Fort Mill. Individual tickets are $150 or table reservation for 10 for $1,500. Tickets include dinner, drinks, DJ/dancing, networking, fun money for casino tables, a silent auction and a photo booth. All proceeds benefit the Indian Land Athletic and Band Booster clubs. Must be 21 or older and wear semi-formal attire. Buy tickets online at bit.ly/ILHSGalaform. For details, email ilhssocialevents@gmail.com.
ILMS ‘High School Musical Jr.’: 7 p.m. March 22-23 and 2 p.m. March 24 at the Indian Land High School auditorium, 6100 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land. Presented by Indian Land Middle School theater students. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or on gofan.co.
University at Albany dean’s list: Maria Villacreses Valarezo of Lancaster made the dean’s list (3.5 GPA) for the 2023 fall semester at the University at Albany in Albany, N.Y.
University of Alabama honors list: Three area students made the honors list for the 2023 fall semester at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Anna Luis and Faye O’Connell, both of Indian Land, made the president’s list (4.0 GPA). Bryce Vander Horn of Indian Land made the dean’s list (3.5-3.9 GPA).
University of Nebraska dean’s list: Andrew Jones of Indian Land was named to the dean’s list (3.5-3.75) for the 2023 fall semester at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Mars Hill dean’s list: Two area students made the dean’s list for the 2023 fall semester at Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, N.C. Brooke Gabrielle Bachini of Fort Mill and Piper Elizabeth Dillion of Indian Land, made the dean’s list (3.5 GPA).
Belmont dean’s list: Isabella Bravo of Lancaster was named to the dean’s list (3.5 GPA) for the 2023 fall semester at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.
Eastern Connecticut dean’s list: Grace Blanchard of Fort Mill was named to the dean’s list (3.5 GPA) for the fall 2023 semester at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Conn.
Roger Williams dean’s list: Carley Howe of Lancaster was named to the dean’s list (3.4 GPA) for the 2023 fall semester at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.
Georgia Southern dean’s list: Ion Baciu of Lancaster was named to the dean’s list (3.5 GPA) for the 2023 fall semester at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga.
Georgia State president’s list: Chang Yang of Lancaster was named to the president’s list (4.0 GPA) for the 2023 fall semester at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Ga.
Samford dean’s list: Gianna Canale of Indian Land was named to the dean’s list (3.5 GPA) for the 2023 fall semester at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.
Cedarville dean’s list: Jyun Klein of Lancaster was named to the dean’s list (3.75 GPA) for the 2023 fall semester at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio.
Harding’s dean’s list: Amelia Slater of Fort Mill was named to the dean’s list (3.65 GPA) for the 2023 fall semester at Harding University in Searcy, Ark.
Piedmont honors lists: Two area students made the honors lists for the 2023 fall semester at Piedmont University in Demorest, Ga. Mary-Grace Shaw of Heath Springs was named a dean’s scholar (4.0 GPA). Frangey Medina of Fort Mill made the dean’s list (3.5-3.9 GPA).
Southern New Hampshire honors lists: Eight area students made the president’s list (3.7 GPA) for the 2023 fall semester at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, N.H. They were Gregg Cottage, Katherine Connors and Alexis Campbell, all of Indian Land, and Terri Higham, Darrah Clark-Wilkes, Lily Valleau-Lowney, Darann Wiegand and Andrew Knight, all of Lancaster. Clayton Spinks of Kershaw was named to the dean’s list (3.5-3.69 GPA).
SMC honors list: Three area students made honors lists for the 2023 fall semester at Spartanburg Methodist College in Spartanburg. Harleigh Payne of Kershaw was named to the president’s list (3.8 GPA). Ava Jack and Ashton Phillips, both of Lancaster, were named to the dean’s list (3.5 GPA).
WCU honors list: Four area students made honors lists for the 2023 fall semester at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. Alexandra Ballard of Lancaster and Devin Costello of Fort Mill were named to the chancellor’s list (3.8 GPA). Hailey Sims of Lancaster and Trace Wooten of Indian Land were named to the dean’s list (3.5 GPA).
Catawba presidential honor: Kinsey Bishop of Indian Land was named to the presidential honor roll (3.7 GPA-higher) for the 2022-23 school year at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. Bishop was also named to the dean’s list (3.5 GPA) for the 2023 fall semester.
Clarkson University honor: Paige Arden Palmer of Lancaster was named a presidential scholar (3.8 GPA) at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y.
Phi Kappa Phi: Hakim Diaz, Deanna Gerszewski and Faith Watson, all of Indian Land, were recently initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at Winthrop University in Rock Hill.
Citadel Gold Stars awarded: John Rush and Robert Powell, both of Indian Land, were named Gold Star recipients at The Citadel in Charleston. Gold stars are awarded to cadets and students who earned a 3.7 GPA for the fall semester. They are also on the dean’s list (3.2 GPA).
Coastal Carolina honors lists: Thirty-six area students made the honors list for the 2023 fall semester at Coastal Carolina University in Conway. On the president’s list (4.0 GPA) are Chloe Duernberger, Meredith Kane, Kaela Sier, all of Fort Mill; Emma Fenster, Ariana Levitan, Clay Penegar, Michael Sas, Christian Thompson, all of Indian Land; and Demetria Cabbagestalk, Claire Plyler, McKensi Sutton, Aliyah Vincent, Jenna Watson, all of Lancaster. On the dean’s list (3.5 GPA) are Stevie Currie, Ryan Duernberger, Olivia Guadagna, Jenna Luera, Jordan Mock, Charlotte Pattison, Cody Swiler, Elizabeth Younce, all of Fort Mill; Carter Mathis, Za’Mya Thompson, Annsley Vick, all of Heath Springs; Matheson Cox, Grace Seidel, Olivia West, all of Indian Land; Landon Jordan of Kershaw; and Reagan Bowers, William Corzo, Ezra Crenshaw, Laney Horton, Lilly Horton, Braden Jackson, Alex Martin and Thomas Ort, all of Lancaster.
Lander honors lists: Fifteen area students made the honors lists for the 2023 fall semester at Lander University in Greenwood. A’Margieona Catoe and Caroline Hammon of Heath Springs, Lilly Funderburk, Emily Prete and Jervonia Stewart, all of Lancaster, made the president’s list (4.0 GPA). Hannah Hewitt of Heath Springs; Anastasia Kharabadzhu, Emma Palka, Austin Ross, all of Indian Land; and Kendall Bohn, Gracie Helms, Ashton Neal, Taylor Neal, Karli Rathel and Ashytn Sanders, all of Lancaster, made the dean’s list (3.5-3.9 GPA).
Project Safe Neighborhoods Logo Contest: Sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the contest is open to all South Carolina grade school students, including homeschoolers. The theme is “Preventing Gun Violence in Our Schools — Know the Signs.” A winner will be selected from each of four grade divisions, and each winner will receive $50. An overall winning logo will be chosen from the four division winners to receive an additional $50 prize. Deadline for submissions is March 29. For details, visit www.justice.gov/usao-sc.
GED/HS diploma intakes: The Lancaster Adult Education program is enrolling for its GED/high school diploma program. Classes will be held at the Barr Street Campus, 610 E. Meeting St., Lancaster. To sign up, call 803-285-7660.
4K registration: Screening for 4K students in Lancaster County School District is underway. In order for a child to be screened, all required registration documents must be turned into the child’s home school before the screening date.
Bring a copy of the following documents to your local school — parent/guardian photo ID, birth certificate (child must be 4 by Sept. 1, 2024), immunization record, two proofs of residency, proof of income eligibility (child’s Medicaid card, household W-2, or pay stub).
4K is offered at Brooklyn Springs, Buford, Clinton, Erwin, Heath Springs, Kershaw, McDonald Green and North elementaries and Southside Early Childhood Center. Limited spots available. For details, contact Traci Shigley at traci.shigley@lcsd.k12.sc.us or 803-416-8855.
Horizon Education Grants: Public school teachers and educators in all Lancaster County, Great Falls and Lewisville schools and the University of South Carolina Lancaster are eligible to apply for $500 individual grants and team grants up to $2,000. Monthly application deadlines. Visit arrasfoundation.org/horizon-education-grant or email info@arrasfoundation.org for details.
Bus drivers needed: Lancaster County School District hired multiple new bus drivers for the new school year, but is still looking to hire more. It needs more drivers to help keep up with the increasing number of riders through growth and new programs. If interested, call 803-285-6009.
District offers disability screening: The Lancaster County School District’s Child Find program seeks out those with disabilities, ages 3-21, who need special help to be able to receive a free, appropriate public education. If there appears to be a delay in any area of your child’s development — even if he or she is not yet school age — contact the district’s Student Services Department at 803- 285-8439 to arrange screening and evaluation. Preschool programming for children with special needs provides early intervention services and might prevent some developmental disabilities from becoming more severe.
